5p bag charge - your views

Former_MSE_Helen
Former_MSE_Helen Posts: 2,382 Forumite
edited 2 October 2015 at 11:59AM in Food shopping & groceries
Hi everyone,

From 5 October, supermarkets in England will charge 5p for carrier bags. So I wanted to know:

1. What are your views on the charge? Is it good/bad/don't care - and why?
2. And do you have any MoneySaving tips for getting around the fee?

Thanks :)
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Comments

  • Torry_Quine
    Torry_Quine Posts: 18,828 Forumite
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    It's the 5th of October. :D
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  • stephen77
    stephen77 Posts: 10,342 Forumite
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    I often shop in Lidl/Aldi so already in a habit of taking bags in with me so it should not bother me to much.

    I think more people will take bags in with them to the major supermarkets as well now.

    Glad I have not got shares in a plastic bag company as they will be down in revenue?
  • frugalmacdugal
    frugalmacdugal Posts: 10,077 Forumite
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    Hi,

    I think it is from Monday 5th October, Scotland Ireland and Wales have had it for years/months and have survived, so I'm sure England will survive, though not against Australia, in Rugby World Cup on Saturday, England OUT in group games. Hee Hee.
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,819 Forumite
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    Only shops with more than 250 employees are compelled to charge, they pocket the money but the government takes the vAT


    Smaller shops will charge and pocket the money, full stop.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,093 Community Admin
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    MSE Helen

    Why do you think this warrants it's own thread.?

    This is nothing new. It is just England catching up with the rest of the UK. I don't recall MSE doing the same for Scotland, Wales or NI when it happened there.
  • nearlyrich
    nearlyrich Posts: 13,698 Forumite
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    I just went to Tesco for some bread they are giving a free bag for life to every customer who wants one. I am looking forward to England catching up with Scotland and Wales with free prescriptions...
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  • stephen77
    stephen77 Posts: 10,342 Forumite
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    !!!!!! wrote: »
    MSE Helen

    Why do you think this warrants it's own thread.?

    This is nothing new. It is just England catching up with the rest of the UK. I don't recall MSE doing the same for Scotland, Wales or NI when it happened there.


    They are only catching up the with the rest of the Uk if you see this as a good thing.
  • frugalmacdugal
    frugalmacdugal Posts: 10,077 Forumite
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    Hi,

    oh Helen, where have you been hiding, plenty reading here, and if you want more, here.
  • marleyboy
    marleyboy Posts: 16,698 Forumite
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    I have no view on it as we have always took our Bags for Life with us.

    I think maybe supermarkets should only have Bags for Life available, as 5p for a flimsy carrier bag is not solving the issue of reducing them.

    I am sure the rest of England will get round to the idea that bags are not available for free and thus a good idea to either bring your own bags for life, or have to buy them in the store.
    :A:dance:1+1+1=1:dance::A
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  • mumf
    mumf Posts: 604 Forumite
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    As the old Kwik Save used to say, " There's no such thing as a free carrier bag".

    The much- highlighted Ireland, where this charge has been in existence for years HAS reduced carrier bag usage. However, the sale of plastic BIN BAGS has gone up!

    So the 5p charge is a bit of a red herring imo.
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